Oviedo is the capital city of the Principality of Asturias and the administrative and commercial center of the region. It is located in the center of Asturias, 25 kilometers south from Spain’s northern coastline. Before you arrive, I recommend that you read my post Everything to Know Before Traveling to Asturias.
Now that you agree that you should visit Oviedo, you might wonder what to see and do in Oviedo. Don’t worry, after living and visiting Oviedo countless time I’ve complied for you a list of the 10 things to see and do in Oviedo during you visit to make it unforgettable.
1. A Stroll in The Historic Center
Get lost in the historic center, enjoy the beautiful streets and colorful houses! While getting lost make sure you don’t miss out on passing through the colorful Calle Mon, Plaza de la Escandalera, Plaza del Paraguas, and Plaza Trascorrales.
2. Plaza del Fontan
A beautiful small plaza in the historical area of Oviedo. Here you can enjoy the colorful houses surrounding the plaza while sitting in one of the bars or restaurants.
3. Mercadillo del Fontan
Near Plaza del Fontan, in Plaza 19 de octubre, there is an open-air market. The market takes place Friday to Sunday 9:00-15:00 and it offers of products; from vegetables, to clothes, to antiques, to flowers, you can find it all there!
4. Cathedral of San Salvador
Oviedo Cathedral has its origins in the basilica built by King Alfonso II The Chaste (791-842) dedicated to San Salvador …. Construction of the Gothic cathedral began in the 14th century, demolishing the previous Romanesque and Pre-Romanesque basilica. Building work received a definitive impetus during the Bishopric of Gutierre de Toledo (1377-1389). The construction was completed in the mid-16th century, with the crowning of the tower in a late Gothic style.
From the Asturias Tourism site
You can enjoy the beautiful cathedral from its main plaza, Plaza de Alfonso II, or from almost every corner of the historic center! If you want to see the cathedral from the inside, check out the Asturias Tourism site for updated hours and prices.
5. Shopping or Window Shopping in Calle Uría
Calle Uría and its semi-parallel street Calle Pelayo are the perfect afternoon shopping plan. In these two streets you will find all the main fashion chains as well as many local boutiques! Additionally, you can find here several stores that sell Asturian products if you wish to get a souvenir.
6. Park San Francisco
A beautiful park in the center of the city! It is very very green all year, and it has cute routes all over the park. It is a great spot for a quick stroll after lunch, or you can buy ice cream or any snack being sold at the park, and take it with you to the park!
7. Eat and Drink in Calle Gascona
Gascona is a street in the center of Oviedo full of Sidrerías, the locale for sidra consumption in Asturias. In addition to consuming sidra, the Sidrerías offer a variety of Asturian food! If you come to eat LUNCH in Gascone Monday – Friday you can order the “menu del dia” for 11-14 euros which usually consists of a first dish/appetizer, a main dish, dessert, bread, and a drink.
Sidra is an alcoholic beverage made from the fermented juice of apples. In Asturias sidra is considered not only a beverage but an intrinsic part of the culture and folklore; it is poured in very small quantities from a height into a wide glass and is done to get air bubbles into the drink (as you can see in the picture).
8. Have a Glass of Wine in la Ruta de los Vinos
A popular area in the center of Oviedo for wine lovers or for hanging out with friends! La Ruts de los Vinos is located in the streets Manuel Pedregal and Campoamor, very close to the train and bus stations on Calle Uría. It consists of about 20 bars/restaurants where you can have a drink inside, or with nice weather, in the terrace. My favorite part in this area is that most places serve some kind of tapa (a very small dish/snack) with every drink that you order, some even let you chose!
9. Museum of Fine Arts of Asturias
In Spanish, Museo de Bellas Artes de Asturias. In the museum, you can find many pieces of art from Spanish, Asturian, and also foreign artists. Therefore, it is a great place for art lover or can also serve as a few hours escape on a rainy day.
the Museum owns now one of Spain´s best public art collections, integrated by more than 15,000 items covering from the 14th to the 21st Century, including such bright names like El Greco, Zurbarán, Ribera, Murillo, Carreño de Miranda, Goya, los Meléndez, Sorolla, Piñole, Valle, Aurelio Suárez, Luis Fernández, Picasso, Dalí, Miró, Tàpies and Barceló.
http://www.museobbaa.com/en/museum/history/
10. Monte Naranco
Monte Naranco is located outside of the center of Oviedo, and you can access it with a car or by bus. On the top you can find a great viewing point over the city and the monument Sagrado Corazón de Jesús from 1950. In Monte Naranco you can also find two pre-romanesque churches, Santa María del Naranco (more information here) and San Miguel de Lillo (more information here) as seen below.
These are the main things to do and see in Oviedo, however, don’t limit yourself! Explore the city on your own and don’t hesitate to ask locals for recommendations.
I hope that you enjoy your stay in Oviedo!
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